It's to a castle I will take you/Where what's to be, they say will be [Video/Action]

[new_frequency]

[Since when did she decide to visit Los Angeles? Sleepwalking? Maybe it was that last glass of wine before bed. Since when did they build a castle across the way from Dodger Stadium? There's little doubt in Laurel's mind that she's in the middle of a dream because, c'mon--a castle in the middle of a metropolis. Which might not be all that unusual in Europe--wait. Is she in Europe?

Glancing down at the device in her hands and (after prodding it a few times and dropping it on her foot at least once), Laurel figures out the video option. Let's see who's out there, shall we?]

Um, so-- I'm going to ask if this is a dream I'm stuck in, because it's the only logical thing I can come up with right now, and like any good dream, whoever's listening is going to tell me that it totally is one and I'm going to wake up when my coffee maker starts brewing.

[Her face scrunches in thought.] Maybe I need to find a coffee place.

Comments

[vivifier]

That would be a really awful dream.

[new_frequency]

[Her brow furrows.] I guess that depends on the dream.

[vivifier]

I take it you haven't seen the vikings.

[new_frequency]

Not yet, but I'm just going to go with the dream sequence here.

[vivifier]

If this is a dream, it's some kind of weird shared coma dream.

[new_frequency]

I'd believe it.

[vivifier]

Why? Are you a big fan of The Matrix?

[new_frequency]

[She smirks.] It's just trippy enough at this point that I wouldn't be surprised if it was of that realm.

[commanderspecs]

[he's frozen on the spot because no. No. This can't be. This cannot be. He swallows thickly]

...Black Siren?

[new_frequency]

[Cue confusion.] ... Uh... I'm sorry? 'Black... Siren'?

[commanderspecs]

[He gives a HUGE sigh of relief when it sounds confusing for her.]

I apologize, ma'am.

[He adjusts his glasses because how much can his nerves take?!]

Where I'm from, you look so much like--never mind. I'm Barry.

[new_frequency]

[Nervous Nellie, this one. Laurel's expression softens.] Hi, Barry. I'm Laurel. Sorry if I disturbed you somehow?

[commanderspecs]

It isn't your fault. I should get used to seeing people that are familiar and yet not appearing here.

[new_frequency]

[Well, that's an odd phrase. Laurel cants her head.] How do you mean? Like Déjà vu or something?

[commanderspecs]

Ma'am, this place is so kooky, I can barely begin with it. As far as I can see, there have been two other people here that look like me and one calls himself Barry Allen as well. There's Oliver Queen, who's dead as far as I know. The woman that you look like happens to be a meta that...she's not that nice.

[new_frequency]

[Hold up. Waitaminute. Laurel blinks at the screen for a few seconds, trying to process what she's been informed of. Ignore her brief gape.]

... Wait. Ollie's dead dead where you're from? I mean... he was thought to be dead for a while but--how can that be?

And what the heck is a 'meta'?

[commanderspecs]

A...a metahuman. Someone imbued with abilities far more than your average human. Different Earths, I think, is the answer you're looking for. See, it's just like Commander Carl, Space Marshall--have you heard of it?

[new_frequency]

[She gives an incredulous look.] I ah... can't say that I have.

But let me get this straight: There's different dimensions? Like String Theory multiverse?

[commanderspecs]

Yes!

[He lights up because science!]

String theory multiverses! Accessible by certain phenomenon that would be able to essentially create holes between different universes!

[havingprecision]

[A voice like that has Oliver Queen quite literally dropping everything. He's down below Verdant, but on the move, grabbing his equipment as he goes.

He has to contact Sara.
But first he has to get Laurel somewhere safe. Or get to her.]

Laurel?
I know this seems crazy but I need you to look around. Tell me what you see.

[new_frequency]

[Oliver isn't the only one hearing a record scratch, though for very different reasons.]

Ollie? [Have a momentary huff of frustration and confusion.] I'm by Dodger Stadium and a castle. What the hell is going on? [Because dream or not, Oliver Queen appears to be on some harebrained mission.]

[havingprecision]

[A moment for him to consult the map and find the best way to her.] That's going to take a lot of explaning. Right now I just need you to sit tight. Help is on the way, okay?

[new_frequency]

This is the point of the conversation where I would normally tell you I don't need any help, but I didn't go to bed in LA last night.

[Pride will get you some places, Laurel. Today might not be the day.] Why are you here?

[havingprecision]

I know. I know it doesn't make sense Laurel but I need you to trust me. [Please, just this one time. Trust him and don't argue.]

I'll explain everything once I get to you.

[new_frequency]

[It's against everything in her nature, Oliver. You know this, but she'll deal this time. Mainly because she has zero idea of what is actually happening.

She glances at a passing car.] Okay, okay. Fine.

[havingprecision]

[Oh he knows and he fully expects to be read the riot act when he arrives, but as long as Laurel is safe, as long as she's okay he'll take that yelling with a smile.

He's running around a corner a few minutes later, a bow in hand and quiver strapped to him, scanning the street which appears to be threat-free for the moment.

Relief is bright in his eyes as he approaches and draws her into a hug.] Hi.

Prose! muaha

[new_frequency]

Here comes a guy in a hood carrying a bow and all the regalia that goes with it.Click. Ollie is suddenly pulling her into his arms... Click.

Boom.

Laurel's having trouble finding some words for a few seconds, realizing that The Hood-- the vigilante who decided to terrorize Starling City's worst of the worst--

She lets the hug linger for a little while before she gently shoves Ollie away, taking in the moment for what it is (whatever it may actually be is debatable). Laurel looks at him in mild disbelief. "...You--you're The Hood?" How's that for a time check?

[havingprecision]

And Oliver had been so caught up in relief he hadn't even stopped to think about when Laurel might have been pulled in or the last thing she remembered what have been. "Yeah," he drags back the hood, it was habit to wear it out some days still.

"Yeah I am."

[new_frequency]

Laurel gapes for a few moments, trying to gather what it is, exactly, she'd like to say. Which won't be pretty.

Her brow furrows. "And somehow in the grand scheme of pretty much everything, you couldn't find a second to inform me of that minute detail?"

[havingprecision]

Yeah this is going to go down just as well as it did back home.

But Laurel is here. Alive.
So Oliver will take it and he will take it all with no small amount of relief.

"I was trying to protect you Laurel. I was trying to protect everyone."

.. even Tommy.

[new_frequency]

"How's that been working out?" The snip is out of her mouth before she can stop herself. But that's not really fair, is it Laurel? Maybe not, but getting attacked in her own apartment and kidnapped wasn't really on her list of things to do.

She rakes a hand through her hair. Move on. Things to discuss later. "What is this, Oliver?" Motion to the stadium. "Why are we here? Better yet--how are we here?"

[thebettermerlyn]

If you are then so am I

[new_frequency]

[No. It can't...

Laurel smiles, though warily so.]

Tommy?

{ 'Cause if I fall, you'll fall And if I rise, we'll rise together

[strongerthanyouknow]

[ If it weren't for her training, there's a good chance Sara's phone might have slipped from her hands and fallen. But it doesn't. It doesn't stop the faint tremor in her hand or the sheer strength of the single digit on her thumb slamming the comm on from her side. ]

Laurel?!

[new_frequency]

['Record scratch' doesn't even cover the stop in time that's just smacked Laurel like a meteor at the sound of her sister's voice.

Her dead sister. A sister that she'd never really found the peace to mourn. Forgiveness hadn't come.

But the shock is settling in, and Laurel's gaping at the picture on the screen in her hands. She can't figure out what emotion's trying to take over first.]

... Sara?

[strongerthanyouknow]

[ As important questions go, the first ones are rapid fire habit after being here a few days. ]

Where are you? Are you safe? [ It's absolutely nothing screaming in her head -- her heart -- banging at her to knock off every inch of this logic stuff left. The only thought left in her head is It's Laurel It's Laurel It's Laurel. Too far away. Too tiny. So alive looking. (Again.

But maybe real here. Broken. But real) ] Can you tell me what's around you?

[new_frequency]

... Fine. 'm fine. [It's automatic and distant and Laurel's brain is just flailing in a storm of memories and pain and the few really good ones just feel archaic, much like a lost and dead language.]

Dodger Stadium.